Neuralstem Updates ALS Stem Cell Trial ProgressNeuralstem, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the return of three patients from earlier cohorts in its ongoing Phase I safety trial to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with its spinal cord stem cells. They will be the first to receive stem cell transplantation along the length of the spinal cord. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

European Parliament Rebukes Three Regulatory AgenciesThe European Parliament postponed signing off on the 2010 expenditures of three science-related E.U. agencies amid concerns over conflicts of interest and inappropriate spending. The vote to postpone the so-called discharge – which affects the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Environment Agency – has no immediate consequences, but it is seen as a warning that the agencies need to restore their credibility. [European Parliament, European Union] Press Release

Algeria to Tackle HIV/AIDSAlgeria will partner with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to build the first HIV/AIDS research center in the Middle East and North Africa. [Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations] Press Release

A Global Standard for Peer ReviewAfter winning the strong backing of the White House, Subra Suresh convened a meeting of 47 leaders of research funding agencies from 44 countries. At the conclusion of closed-door sessions, the group will issue the first-ever global statement on the principles of merit review. [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

Fluidigm and the Broad Institute Establish Single-Cell Genomics Research CenterThe Broad Institute and Fluidigm Corporation announced the launch of a new research center dedicated to accelerating the development of research methods and discoveries in mammalian single-cell genomics. The Single-Cell Genomics Center is also expected to act as a hub for collaboration among single-cell genomics researchers in many pioneering fields, including stem cells and cancer biology. [Fluidigm Corporation] Press Release